2021 IFL Playoffs Round One Players of the Week Named
Published on September 1, 2021 under Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release
After the opening round of the 2021 IFL Playoffs, the Indoor Football League presented the 2021 IFL Playoffs Round 1 Players of the Week. Arizona Rattlers quarterback Drew Powell took his third Offensive Player of the Week of the season, while Massachusetts linebacker Martrell Spaight claimed his first Defensive Player of the Week and Frisco Fighters kicker Kristov Martinez earned his first Special Teams Player of the Week.
DREW POWELL - OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Powell showed off his efficiency in the Rattlers' first-round game playoff game against the Sioux Falls Storm on Sunday. He completed 76.5 percent of his passes, going 13-of-17 for 170 yards and five passing touchdowns. Powell connected with four different wide receivers for touchdowns and led a Rattlers' offense that scored on every offensive possession. The IFL's leading rusher also produced 35 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Arizona rolled past Sioux Falls, 69-42, to advance to the semifinals.
MARTRELL SPAIGHT - DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Spaight led the defensive for Massachusetts in the Pirates' opening playoff matchup against the Bismarck Bucks. Spaight finished the night with six total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one sack that came late in the second quarter on third down, forcing a field goal try that the Bucks missed wide right. The Pirates scored a field goal of their own on the ensuing possession to go up 17-7 at halftime. Spaight and the Pirates' defense held the Bucks scoreless in the second and third quarters. Massachusetts would go on to defeat Bismarck, 44-19.
KRISTOV MARTINEZ - SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Martinez put up a perfect kicking night for the Fighters on Saturday night in their first-round matchup against the Spokane Shock. Martinez knocked in all three of his field goal tries along with converting all five of his extra point attempts. With 12:03 left in the second quarter down 6-3, Martinez drilled a kickoff off of an opposing Shock player, a kick that the Fighters recovered at their own 11-yard line to set up the Fighters' first touchdown of the game. Frisco would eventually go on to earn the victory over the Shock, 44-33.
Powell and the Rattlers advanced to the semifinal round of the playoffs where they will face the Duke City Gladiators on Sunday, September 5, at 5:05 p.m. CT. Martinez and the Fighters will hit the road to take on Spaight and the Pirates in their semifinal matchup on Saturday, September 4, at 6:05 p.m. CT.
Indoor Football League Stories from September 1, 2021
- Spaight Player of the Week - Massachusetts Pirates
- Pirates Face Frisco in IFL Semifinal - Massachusetts Pirates
- 2021 IFL Playoffs Round One Players of the Week Named - IFL
- Thompson Takes Opponents to School - Frisco Fighters
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